Novel azole or triazole derivatives, method for preparing same and use thereof as fungicides

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns novel azole or triazole derivatives of formula (I), wherein X, Ar 1 , Ar 2 , Ar 3 , A, B, and R 1  are as defined herein, their preparation method and their use as fungicides.

This application is a National Stage of International application No. PCT/FR02/01,521, filed May 2, 2002; which claims the benefit of priority of French Patent Application No. 01/05,958, filed May 4, 2001.

The present invention relates to new azole or triazole derivatives, method for preparing the same and their use as fungicides.

A number of compounds having an antifungal activity are known in the prior art. Azole derivatives as defined in the following Applications: EP 0 121 753 A (Hoechst A G), EP 0 050 298 A (Hoechst A G), U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,872 (J. Schmutz), WO 00/20413 (Hoechst Marion Roussel) can in particular be mentioned. Moreover, the new antifungal compounds must be able to have improved solubility and must also be able to be absorbed more easily. Nevertheless, a real need exists to make use of new antifungal compounds, the present strains being able to be or become resistant to the standard agents, in particular when the latter possess only a fungistatic activity. Finally, the incidence of Candida albicans, as an infectious agent, is increasing steadily, in particular vis-à-vis immunodeficient patients, for example as a result of HIV infection, and therefore requires new treatments.

The object of the present invention is to provide new compounds having an antifungal activity, in particular vis-à-vis Candida or Aspergillus strains.

A subject of the invention is the compounds of formula

wherein

-   -   X is a nitrogen atom or a CH group,     -   Ar¹ represents a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl,         non-substituted or substituted by one or more R², R³ or R⁴         radicals     -   Ar² represents a phenylene or naphthalene, non-substituted or         substituted by one or more R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radicals     -   Ar³ represents a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl,         non-substituted or substituted by one or more R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰         radicals     -   A represents a (C₁-C₄)-alkylene radical or a C(O) radical,     -   B represents a (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-CH═CH— radical or a         (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-cyclopropylene radical, said cyclopropylene or         —CH═CH— radicals being non-substituted or substituted by an R²         and/or R³ radical,     -   R¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an —SO₃H group or a (C₁-C₆)-alkyl         radical, non-substituted or substituted by a radical as defined         for R²,     -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰, which are identical or         different, represent fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, mono-         bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)alkyl, mono- bi- or         trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, formyl,         —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—O—, amino,         (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino,         (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenamino or (C₅-C₁₄)-arylamino,         (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl, a heterocycle optionally         substituted by oxo, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl,         amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,         di-((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy optionally         interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms,         (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryloxy,         hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy,         amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy,         di((C₁-C₈)-alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, methylenedioxy,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl,         (C₅-C₁₄)aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenecarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-carbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkanoylamino,         (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonylamino,         (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenesulfonylamino,         (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminosulfonyl,         (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenaminosulfonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₈)-alkylenesulfonyl or         (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonyl, said alkyl, aryl radicals or heterocycles         being themselves non-substituted or substituted by one or more         groups mentioned above.     -   R¹¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₁₀)-alkyl, (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl or         (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,         in all their possible stereoisomeric forms and their mixtures,         as well as their physiologically acceptable addition salts and         their prodrugs.

All the radicals which can be found several times in the compounds of formula (I), for example, the radical R², are independent of one another and can be identical or different.

The alkyl radicals mentioned above can be linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or mono- or poly-unsaturated. This also applies when they carry a substituent or when they are included in groups such as for example alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl or aralkyl.

By saturated (C₁-C₈)-alkyl is meant the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, radicals, the n-isomers of these radicals, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, isohexyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2,3,4-trimethylhexyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, tert-pentyl. Among the preferred radicals, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl can be mentioned. By (C₁-C₆)-alkyl is meant the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl radicals and the n-isomers of these radicals.

By alkyloxy radical interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, is meant preferably radicals of the O—CH₂—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₃ type.

The bivalent alkylene radicals corresponding to the monovalent radicals mentioned above are for example the methylene, ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 1,2-propylene (=1-methylethylene), 2,3-butylene (=1,2-dimethylethylene), 1,4-butylene, or 1,6-hexylene radicals.

The unsaturated alkyl radicals can contain one or more, for example one, two or three double and/or triple bonds. Of course, an unsaturated alkyl radical contains at least two carbon atoms. By unsaturated alkyl radical is therefore meant for example, the alkenyl radicals such as vinyl, 1-propenyl, allyl, butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl or the alkynyl radicals such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl or propargyl.

By unsaturated bivalent alkylene radicals is meant the alkenylene and alkynylene radicals which can also be linear or branched. These are for example vinylene, propenylene, ethynylene or propynylene radicals.

The cycloalkyl radicals can be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic. These are for example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclodecyl, cycloundecyl, cyclododecyl, cyclotetradecyl or cyclooctadecyl radicals which can optionally be substituted for example by an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. As substituted cycloalkyl radicals, 4-methylcyclohexyl, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclopropane and dichlorocyclopropane can be mentioned.

Unless otherwise indicated, the alkyl or cycloalkyl radicals can be non-substituted or substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine, nitro, amino, trifluoromethyl, mono, —OCF₃, cyano, carboxyl, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, PO₃H₂, OPO₃H₂, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl and benzyloxy. Of course this also applies when the alkyl radical forms part of a group containing it, for example such as (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl.

By halogen is meant fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

By the term aryl is meant:

-   -   either the heterocyclic (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl (also can be called as         (C₅-C₁₄)-heteroaryl) radicals, in which the carbon atoms of the         ring are replaced by a heteroatom such as nitrogen, oxygen or         sulfur,     -   or the carbocyclic (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl radicals.

Among the carbocyclic (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl radicals, phenyl, naphthyl, biphenylyl, anthryl or fluorenyl and quite particularly 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and phenyl can be mentioned.

Unless otherwise indicated, the aryl radicals, in particular phenyl, can be non-substituted or substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, hydroxyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halogen such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine, nitro, amino, trifluoromethyl, —OCF₃, cyano, carboxyl, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, PO₃H₂, OPO₃H₂, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy and methylenedioxy.

In the case of monosubstituted phenyl, the substituent can be situated in position 2, 3 or 4, and preferably in position 3 or 4. Preferably, Ar³ represents a phenyl substituted in position 4. In the case where the phenyl is di-substituted, the substituents can be in positions 2,3 or 2,4 or 2,5 or 2,6 or 3,4 or 3,5. Preferably, when Ar¹ represents a di-substituted phenyl, the two substituents are in positions 2,4. When this phenyl is tri-substituted the positions are as follows: 2, 3, 4 or 2, 3, 5 or 2, 3, 6 or 2, 4, 5 or 2, 4, 6 or 3, 4, 5. In the same manner, the naphthyl radicals or other aryl radicals can be substituted in any position, for example the 1-naphthyl radical in positions 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8 and the 2-naphthyl radical in positions 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7.

The (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl group can also represent a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic system in which 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the carbon atoms of the ring are replaced by heteroatoms, in particular identical or different heteroatoms from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Among the heterocyclic (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl (also can be called as (C₅-C₁₄)-heteroaryl) groups, the 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrrolyl, furyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, phthalazinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, β-carbolinyl groups can be mentioned, or also benzo-condensed, cyclopenta-, cyclohexa-, or cyclohepta- condensed derivatives of these radicals.

The heterocyclic system can be substituted by the same substituents mentioned above for the carbocyclic system. Of course, the above description concerning the aryl groups also applies when aryl is a radical included in a group such as aryl-alkyl. As preferred examples of aryl-alkyl groups, benzyl, 1-phenylethyl or 2-phenylethyl can be mentioned.

By heterocycle, is preferably meant a non-aromatic radical with 5 or 6 members, optionally containing one or two double bonds and one or more nitrogen or oxygen atoms substituted or non-substituted by the same substituents mentioned above for the carbocyclic system as well as the oxo radical. The invention thus comprises the following heterocycles:

These heterocycles being able to be substituted. The radicals can then be as follows:

The optically active carbon atoms contained in the compounds of formula (I) can independently of one another have the R configuration or the S configuration.

The compounds of formula (I) can be in the form of pure enantiomers or pure diastereoisomers or in the form of a mixture of enantiomers, for example in the form of racemates or mixtures of diastereoisomers.

A subject of the present invention is therefore pure enantiomers, mixtures of these enantiomers, pure diastereoisomers and mixtures of these diastereoisomers.

The invention comprises mixtures of two or more than two stereoisomers of formula (I) and all the ratios of these stereoisomers in said mixtures.

The compounds of formula (I) can, if appropriate, be present in the form of E isomers or Z isomers. A subject of the invention is therefore pure E isomers, pure Z isomers and E/Z mixtures in any ratio. When the compounds of formula (I) contain a cyclopropane, these compounds of formula (I) can be present in the form of cis or trans isomers. A subject of the invention is therefore pure cis isomers, pure trans isomers and cis/trans mixtures in any ratio.

The invention also comprises all the tautomeric forms of the compounds of Formula (I). The diastereoisomers, including the E/Z (or cis/trans) isomers can be separated into individual isomers, for example by chromatography. The racemates can be separated into two enantiomers by standard methods such as chiral-phase chromatography or by resolution methods.

The physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula (I) are in particular pharmaceutically useful or non-toxic salts or physiologically useful salts.

When the compounds of formula (I) contain an acid group such as carboxylic acid, these are for example alkali metal or alkaline-earth salts such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts, and also salts formed with physiologically acceptable quaternary ammonium ions and the addition salts with acids such as ammonia and physiologically acceptable organic amines such as for example triethylamine, ethanolamine or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine.

When the compounds of formula (I) contain a basic group, they can form an addition salt with acids, for example with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric acid or with carboxylic organic acids such as acetic, trifluoroacetic, citric, benzoic, maleic, fumaric, tartaric, methanesulfonic or para toluene sulfonic acid.

The compounds of formula (I) which comprise a basic group and an acid group, such as for example guanidino and carboxylic, can be present in the form of zwitterions (betaines), which are also included in the present invention.

When the compounds of formula (I) contain a charged ammonium group, the counter anion (Q⁻) is preferably a monovalent anion or a polyvalent anion equivalent of a physiologically acceptable and in particular pharmaceutically acceptable non toxic organic or inorganic acid, for example the anion or an anion equivalent of one of the acids mentioned above, which is useful for the formation of the addition salts. The counter anion, Q⁻, can be for example one of the anions (or anion equivalents) of a group chosen from chlorine, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, citrate, benzoate, maleate, fumarate, tartrate, methanesulfonate and para-toluenesulfonate.

The salts of the compounds of formula (I) can be obtained by ordinary methods known to a person skilled in the art, for example by combining a compound of formula (I) with an organic or inorganic acid or a base in a solvent or a dispersant or from another salt by cation or anion exchange.

The invention also includes all the salts of the compounds of formula (I) which, because of their low physiological acceptability, cannot be used directly as a medicament, but are useful as intermediate products for use in later chemical modifications to the compounds of formula (I) or as starting products for the preparation of physiologically acceptable salts.

The present invention also includes all the solvates of the compounds of formula (I) for examples hydrates, solvates formed with alcohols, and all the derivatives of the compounds of Formula (I), for example esters, prodrugs and other physiologically acceptable derivatives, as well as the metabolites of the compounds of Formula (I).

A subject of the invention is also the prodrugs of the compounds of formula (I) which can be converted to compounds of formula (I) in vivo under physiological conditions. The prodrugs of the compounds of Formula (I), namely the derivatives of the compounds of formula (I) chemically modified in order to obtain properties improved in the desired manner, are known to a person skilled in the art.

In order to have more information on the type of prodrug envisaged in the present invention, the following works can be mentioned: Fleicher et al., Advanced Drug Delivery Review 19 (1996) 115-130; Design of prodrugs, H. Bundgaard, Ed., Elsevier, 1985; H. Bundgaard, Drugs of the Future 16 (1991) 443; Saulnier et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 4 (1994) 1985; Safadi et al. Pharmaceutical Res. 10 (1993) 1350. Among the appropriate prodrugs of the compounds of formula (I) the following can preferably be mentioned:

-   -   the prodrugs in the form of esters of the carboxylic, sulfonic         or phosphonic groups, when, for example, Ar³ is substituted         respectively by a —CO₂H, —SO₃H or —PO₃H group.     -   the prodrugs in the form of acyl and carbamate for the groups         containing an acylable nitrogen such as the amino or guanidine         groups.     -   the prodrugs in the form of quaternary derivatives of cyclic or         non-cyclic (benzyl substituted) nitrogen.         In the prodrugs which are acylated, or in carbamate form, once         or more times, for example twice, a hydrogen atom situated on         the nitrogen atom is replaced by an acyl or carbamate group.         Among the preferred acyl or carbamate groups, the R₁₂CO—,         R₁₃OCO— groups can be mentioned, in which R₁₂ is a hydrogen or a         (C₁-C₁₈)-alkyl, (C₃-C₁₄)-cycloalkyl,         (C₃-C₁₄)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl radical, in         which 1 to 5 carbon atoms can be replaced by heteroatoms such as         N, O, S or (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₈)alkyl, in which 1 to 5 carbon         atoms in the aryl part can be replaced by heteroatoms such as N,         O, S and R₁₃ with the same values as R₁₂ with the exception of         hydrogen.

Of course, Ar¹, Ar², Ar³, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ can adopt the above definitions independently of one another.

Among the definitions relating to Formula (I), the following preferred moieties can be mentioned:

-   -   Ar¹ and Ar³ represent phenyl groups,     -   Ar¹ represents a phenyl group and Ar³ represents a heterocycle,     -   A is preferably a methylene group,     -   B is preferably a —CH₂—CH═CH— or —CH₂-(cyclopropyl)- group, said         groups being non-substituted or substituted by one or more         halogens or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,     -   R¹ is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group,         non-substituted or substituted by fluorine, —OH, —NH₂,         (C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, or di-(C₁-C₈)-alkylamino,         pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino.     -   R² and R³ are preferably halogen atoms     -   R⁴ is preferably a hydrogen atom     -   R⁶ is preferably a hydrogen atom     -   R⁵ and R⁷ preferably represent hydrogen     -   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ preferably represent hydrogen, CN, halogen, —CF₃,         —OCF₃, OH, —SO₃H, —P(O)(OH)₂, carboxy, —OSO₃H, —OPO₃H, —NH₂,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, a non-aromatic saturated or unsaturated         heterocyclic, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino,         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino or di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy         radical, said alkyl radicals or heterocycles being         non-substituted or substituted by halogen, OH, SO₃H, P(O)(OH)₂,         oxo, Carboxy, —OSO₃H, —OPO₃H₂, —NH₂, phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino or         di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino.

A more particular subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I) as defined above in which A is a —CH₂— group, B is a —CH₂—CH═CH— or —CH₂-cyclopropyl- group, Ar¹ represents a phenyl and Ar² represents a phenylene as well as their physiologically acceptable addition salts.

A more particular subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I) as defined above corresponding to the structure:

in which, B, X, Ar³, R⁵ and R¹ are as defined above and R² and R³ represent a chlorine or fluorine atom as well as their physiologically acceptable addition salts.

A more particular subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I) or (IA) as defined above in which R₂ and R₃ are fluorine or chlorine atoms, X represents CH or N and Ar³ represents a phenyl group, non-substituted or substituted by R⁸ as defined previously, as well as their physiologically acceptable addition salts.

A quite particular subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I) or (IA) as defined previously, in which R¹ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl, or ethyl group, non-substituted or substituted by an F, OH, NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino group as well as their physiologically acceptable addition salts.

A quite particular subject of the invention is the compounds of Formula (IA) as defined previously in which Ar³ is a phenyl, non-substituted or substituted by R⁸ representing a —Cl, —F, CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OH, —NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino radical or a heterocycle chosen from:

A quite particular subject of the invention is the following compounds:

-   cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine -   4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl]-1-benzenemethanamine -   cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol -   cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine -   cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol -   4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-1-naphthalenemethanamine     phosphate and trifluoroacetate -   cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-4-chloro-benzenemethanamine -   cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine     trifluoroacetate -   cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzenemethanamine -   cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]-ethanol.

A subject of the invention is also a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) characterized in that a compound of formula (II):

in which Y represents a leaving group after nucleophilic substitution such as mesylate or tosylate and the other substituents retain their previous meaning, is subjected to the action, in the presence of a base, of a compound of formula (III) HO-Ar²-A-N(R¹)-B-Ar³  (III) in which Ar², A, R¹, B and Ar³ retain their previous meaning, in order to obtain the corresponding compound of formula (I).

This reaction is carried out under standard nucleophilic substitution conditions of the R—OH+R′—OTs→R—O—R′ type known to a person skilled in the art, Ts being a tosyl group. The base used can in particular be sodium hydride and the solvent can be DMF.

The compounds of formula (II) used as starting products are products known generally, in particular when Ar¹ is a phenyl. They can be prepared according to the process indicated in J. Med. Chem. (1979) 22(8) 1003.

Certain compounds of formula (III) (R¹=Me) are easily accessible. They can be prepared as indicated in the diagram below or in the experimental part.

As a variant process, the compound of formula (II) is reacted with an aryl of formula (III′) HO—C₄H₆—CHO in the presence of a base, the phenyl being non-substituted or substituted by R⁵, in order to obtain a compound of formula (IIa):

which is reacted with an R¹—NH₂ amine, R¹ being as defined previously, followed by a reduction reaction in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN, in order to obtain the amine of formula (IIb):

which is reacted

-   -   either with a derivative of formula:         OHC—CH═CH—C₆H₄—R⁸ or OHC-(Cyclopropyl)-C₆H₄—R⁸         followed by a reduction reaction in the presence of a reducing         agent such as NaBH₃CN or pyridine.BH₃     -   or with a compound of formula:         AcO—CH₂—CH═CH—C₆H₄—R⁸         in the presence of a palladium derivative in order to obtain the         following compounds of formulae (IAA) and (IAB):

The first reducing amination reaction involving aldehyde (IIa) is carried out preferably in the presence of reagents such as NaBH₃CN in methanol or pyridin.BH₃. The second reducing amination reaction involving amine (IIc) with a trans-cinnamaldehyde derivative, is also carried out preferably in the presence of NaBH₃CN in methanol. The reaction involving the amine (IIc) with an allyl acetate is carried out in the presence of a palladium derivative, for example in acetonitrile/water medium (tppts/Pd(OAc)₂).

Preferably, the compound of formula (IIa) is reacted with an amine of formula R′¹—(CH₂)₂—NH₂, R′¹ representing an F, OH group, an amine or an alkylamine, being suitably protected (such as NHCO₂tbu, pyrrolidino, 2-oxo-pyrrolidino), or a dialkylamine in order to obtain a compound of formula (IIc), in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN:

which is reacted with a conjugated aldehyde as defined previously (OHC—CH═CH—C₄H₆—R⁸), in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN, in order to obtain a compound of formula (IAB):

The starting compounds of formula (II) or (III) can be prepared according to processes described in the literature or are also accessible by analogy. The preparation of the compounds of formula (II) is described in Eur. J. Med. Chem. (1995) 30, 617-626 or J. Heterocyclic Chemistry (1990), 27 2053, it being understood that the present invention is not restricted to these syntheses or to these starting products. There is no major difficulty for a person skilled in the art to provide modifications to the syntheses described in our Application for the preparation of other compounds of formula (I) according to the invention.

The compounds of formula (I) are compounds having a pharmacological activity and can thus be used as medicaments, in particular as antifungals.

A subject of the present invention is therefore the compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs as medicaments.

The compounds of formula (I) as well as their physiologically acceptable salts and their prodrugs can be administered to animals, preferably to mammals and in particular to human beings as therapeutic or prophylactic medicaments.

The compounds of formula (I) have useful antifungal properties. They are in particular active on Candida albicans and other Candidas such as Candida glabrata, krusei, tropicalis, pseudotropicalis and parapsilosis, on Aspergillus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cryptococcus neoformans, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrun, Trichophyton mentagrophyte.

The compounds of formula (I) can be used as medicaments in humans or animals, in particular to combat digestive, urinary, vaginal or cutaneous candidoses, cryptococcoses, for example neuromeningeal, pulmonary or cutaneous cryptococcoses, bronchopulmonary and pulmonary aspergilloses and invasive aspergilloses in immunodeficient individuals.

The compounds according to the invention can also be used in the prevention of mycosic diseases in individuals with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency.

The compounds of the invention are not limited to a pharmaceutical use. They can also be used as fungicides in fields other than that of pharmaceuticals.

A subject of the invention is therefore, as antifungal medicaments, the compounds of formula (I).

A subject of the invention is also the use of chemical entities having at one end the following groups:

and at the other end a pharmacophore group having a fungicidal activity, for example an azole or triazole derivative as defined previously, for the preparation of medicaments having an antifungal activity.

The compounds according to the invention can be administered neat as a single compound or in a mixture with one or more other compounds of formula (I) or also in the form of a pharmaceutical preparation (pharmaceutical composition) which allows an enteral or parenteral administration and which contains as active ingredient an effective dose of at least one compound of formula (I) and/or its physiologically acceptable salts and/or its prodrugs as well as standard and pharmaceutically inert supports and/or additives.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention allow enteral or parenteral administration, containing as active ingredient an effective dose of at least one compound of formula (I) and/or its physiologically acceptable salts and/or its prodrugs as well as one or more pharmaceutically inert supports, and/or one or more usual additives.

A subject of the invention is therefore the pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula (I) as defined previously as well as a vehicle.

The medicaments can be administered orally, for example in the form of pills, tablets, coated tablets, flakes, granules, gelatin capsules and soft capsules, solutions, syrups, emulsions, suspensions or aerosol mixtures.

The administration can however be carried out by rectal route, for example in the form of suppositories, by parenteral route, for example in the form of injectable solutions or infusions, microcapsules or implants, by percutaneous route, for example in the form of ointments, solutions, pigments or coloring agents, by transdermal route in the form of patches or by other routes such as in the form of nasal aerosols or sprays.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are prepared according to methods known per se, pharmaceutically inert organic or inorganic supports being added to the compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs.

For the production of pills, tablets, coated tablets and hard gelatin capsules, it is possible to use for example, lactose, cornstarch or its derivatives, talc, stearic acid or its salts, etc. Suitable supports for soft gelatin capsules or suppositories are for example fats, waxes, semi-solid or liquid polyols, natural or modified oils etc. Appropriate vehicles for the preparation of solutions, for example injectable solutions, emulsions or syrups are for example water, alcohols, glycerol, polyols, sucrose, inverted sugars, glucose, vegetable oils, etc. Suitable supports for microcapsules or implants are for example glyoxylic acid and lactic acid copolymers. The pharmaceutical preparations normally contain from 0.5% to 90% by weight of compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts.

In addition to the active ingredients and supports, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain additives such as for example diluents, disintegrating agents, binders, lubricants, wetting agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, sweeteners, coloring agents, flavoring agents, thickeners, buffering agents, and also solvents or solubilizers or agents for obtaining a delayed effect and also salts for modifying the osmotic pressure, coating agents or antioxidants.

They can also contain two or more compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs. Moreover, in more than at least one or more compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs, they can contain at least one or more other useful active ingredients as therapeutics or prophylactics.

The pharmaceutical preparations (pharmaceutical compositions) normally contain from 0.2 to 500 mg, and preferably from 1 to 200 mg of the compound of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs.

A more particular subject of the present invention is therefore a compound of formula (I) and/or its physiologically acceptable salts and/or its prodrugs as defined above as a medicament having an antifungal activity.

A subject of the present invention is also the use of the compounds of formula (I) and/or their physiologically acceptable salts and/or their prodrugs as defined above for the preparation of antifungal medicaments.

When the compounds of formula (I) are used, the doses can vary within broad limits and must be fixed as a function of the person to be treated. This depends for example on the compound used or the nature and severity of the disease to be treated and whether serious or chronic conditions prevail or a prophylactic treatment is being implemented.

In the case of administration by oral route, the daily dose generally varies from 0.01 to 100 mg/kg and preferably from 0.1 to 50 mg/kg, in particular from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg.

In the case of administration by intravenous route, the daily dose varies approximately from 0.01 to 100 mg/kg and preferably from 0.05 to 10 mg/kg.

The daily dose can be divided, in particular in the case of the administration of a large quantity of active ingredient, into several, for example 2, 3 or 4 parts. If appropriate, as a function of individual behavior, it can be necessary to administer the different doses in an increasing or decreasing manner.

The compounds of formula (I) and their salts can also be used as intermediates for the preparation of other compounds, in particular other active ingredients, which are accessible from the compounds of formula (I), for example by modification or introduction of radicals or functional groups.

Finally, a subject of the invention is intermediate compounds of the processes as defined previously, the compounds of formulae (IIa), (IIb), and (IIc).

EXAMPLES

The products were characterized by mass spectroscopy (MS), infrared (IR) and/or NMR spectroscopy. The compounds were purified by normal-phase (in particular in the presence of a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture) or in reversed-phase chromatography (in the presence of acetic or trifluoroacetic acid). The compounds of formula (I) purified using an eluent which contains for example trifluoroacetic acid, and which are then dried or in which, during the last synthesis stage, for example trifluoroacetic acid was used in order to eliminate a tert-butyl protective group, sometimes contain, depending on the manner in which the product was dried, the acid originating from the eluent or the last synthesis stage and are therefore found partially or completely in the form of the salt of the acid used, for example in the form of an acetic or trifluoroacetic acid salt. They can also be more or less hydrated.

Abbreviations/Chemical Names Optionally Used:

AcOEt: ethyl acetate; DMF: dimethylformamide; HOBt: 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; MeOH: methanol; TEA: triethylamine; TFA: trifluoroacetic acid; THF: tetrahydrofuran; MCPBA: meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid; DBU: 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; PTSA: paratoluenesulfonic acid; DPPA: diphenylphosphorylazide; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; Pd/C Palladium on carbon; Boc: tert-butoxycarbonyl; CBz: benzyloxycarbonyl; DCC 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; IR: Infrared; NMR: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MS: Mass Spectrum; PES: Positive mode electrospray; sh: shoulder; S: strong; s: singlet; d: doublet; t: triplet; quad: quadruplet; quint: quintuplet; b: broad; m: multiplet; J: coupling constant; Rf: retention factor (chromatography).

The NMR spectral data provided in the following examples were interpreted based on the identification of the hydrogen atoms of the aromatic moieties as follows:

Preparation 1: 4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine (P1)

Stage a): 4-methoxy-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine

A solution consisting of trans-cinnamaldehyde (Jansen, d=1.048, 13.2 g, 0.1 mol) and 4-methoxybenzylamine (Fluka, d=1.057, 13.7 g, 0.1 mol) in 250 ml of toluene is heated to reflux for 2 hours 30 minutes, whilst eliminating the water formed during the reaction using a “Dean-Stark” apparatus, then the toluene is evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue obtained (Schiff base) is then dissolved in 150 ml of methanol, then the Schiff base is reduced by adding 3.8 g of NaBH₄ at 40° C. Finally, 81 ml of 37% formaldehyde is added to the reaction medium (amino reduction reaction), the mixture is taken to reflux for 30 minutes and stirred overnight at ambient temperature. After evaporation of the methanol, the residue is taken up in dichloromethane, washed twice with water and once with saturated aqueous solution of NaCl, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂C₁₂/AcOEt mixture 70/30 to afford the title compound as a crystalline product (9.07 g). Rf 0.20 CH₂Cl₂/AcOEt 70/30

NMR ¹H (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm) 2.23 (s, 3H, CH₃—N); 3.18 (dl, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.31 (td, J=16; 6.5 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.54 (d, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.49 (s, 2H, Ph-CH ₂—N); 3.80 (s, 3H, Ph-O—CH ₃); 6.86 and 7, 25 AA′BB′; 7.31 (bt, 2H, H meta); 7.38 (bd, 2H, H ortho); 7.24 (masked 1H, H para).

Stage b): 4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine

To a solution of the product prepared in the previous stage (1 g, 3.74 mmol) in 20 ml of acetic acid, 20 ml of 48% hydrobromic acid is added and heated to reflux for 5 hours and 30 minutes. After evaporation under reduced pressure by entraining the water with ethyl acetate, a dry extract is obtained, which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 95/5 mixture in order to obtain 660 mg of the title compound. Rf 0.46 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 95/5.

Preparations 2 and 3: 4-[cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-benzenemethanamine

Stage a): 4-[cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzaldehyde (P2)

A solution of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4.59 g, 0.0376 mol) in 80 ml of DMF is added to a suspension of NaH (1.723 g) in DMF (150 ml) and stirred for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Then 20 g of [cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methyl]4-methyl-benzenesulfonate is added and heated overnight at 90° C. After returning to ambient temperature, the reaction medium is poured into 500 ml of water and extracted with 4 times 300 ml of dichloromethane, the organic phases are washed with water saturated in NaCl, the organic phase is dried over MgSO4, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is taken up in 40 ml of ether. The product begun to crystallize. The crystals are separated, rinsed and washed with 4 times 20 ml of ether to afford 14.48 g of the title compound (as well as 5.84 g of product recovered in the mother liquors). Rf 0.18 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 98/2.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 3.35 (dd) and 3.77 (dd) 2H, 3.80 (dd) and 3.91 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.41 (m, 1H O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.45 and 4.55 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 6.42 and 7.85 (AA′BB′) 9.90 (s, 1H, CHO); 7.03 (dl, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.29 (dd, 1H, Hb); 7.49 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.61 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.70 (s, 1H, H2).

Stage b): 4-[cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-benzene-methanamine (amino-reduction) (P3)

Methylamine hydrochloride (8.833 g, 0.131 mol) and NaBH₃CN (1.654 g, 0.026 mol) are added to a solution of the product P2 prepared in the previous stage (5.70 g; 0.0131 mol) in methanol (170 ml) under stirring, and stirring is continued for a period of about 19 hours, followed by evaporation under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained, and taking up in a water/CH₂Cl₂/NaOH 2N (50 ml/20 ml/70 ml) mixture; the aqueous phase is reextracted with 70 ml of dichloromethane, washed with water saturated in NaCl, dried over MgSO4, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure in order to obtain 6.1 g of the title compound which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 95/5 then CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 87/13 to which 1% of TEA is added to afford 4.2 g of the title compound in the pure form. Rf 0.46 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10.

NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 2.44 (s, 3H, N—CH ₃); 3.33 (dd) and 3.76 (dd) 2H, 3.73 (dd) and 3.88 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.35 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.68 (s, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 4.45 (AB, 2H); 6.78 and 7, 23 (AA′BB′); 7.46 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.26 (dd, 1H, Hb); 7.58 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.50 (s, 1H, H2). 6.98 (d, 2H, H4 and H5).

Preparation 4: 3-[4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]phenyl]-2(E)-propenal

Stage a) Protection: 4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]benzaldehyde

Diisopropylamine (70 ml, 0.4 mol) is added to a solution of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (24.4 g, 0.2 mol) in 500 ml of acetonitrile, and cooled down to approximately 9° C. Then MEM chloride (40.30 ml, 0.4 mol over 30 minutes) is added, the reaction medium is allowed to return to ambient temperature for 1 hour and evaporated under reduced pressure until a residue is obtained which is taken up in 500 ml of dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed with 2N hydrochloric acid (2×500 ml) then with 1N aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2×500 ml) and finally with brine (saturated NaCl solution). The organic phase is then dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent is removed to afford 41.322 g of the title compound as an oil. Rf 0.32 Cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 70/30.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 3.38 (s, 3H, CH ₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 3.57 (m) and 3.89 (m) 4H CH₃—O—(CH ₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 5.36 (s, 2H, CH₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH ₂—O)); 7.18 and 7.85 (AA′BB′); 4.92 (s, 1H, CHO).

Stage b) Wittig: Ethyl 3-[4-[(2-ethoxyethoxy)methoxy]phenyl]-2(E)-propenoate

To a solution consisting of (diethoxyphosphinyl)-ethyl acetate (15.8 ml, 0.0786 mol), and 99% LiBr (6.895 g, 0.0786 mol) in 100 ml of THF, 11 ml of TEA is added followed by stirring for 10 minutes, then the derivative prepared above (15 g, 0.0714 mol) in THF (55 ml) is added. The reaction medium is stirred for 12 hours, filtered in order to eliminate the TEA salt, then evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is taken up in dichloromethane (200 ml), followed by washing with hydrochloric acid and then with brine. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and dried in order to obtain a crude product which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with an AcOEt/Cyclohexane 30/70 mixture to afford 13.02 g of the expected purified product. Rf 0.43 Cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 70/30.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 1.33 (t, 3H, CH ₃—CH₂—O); 4.25 (q, 2H, CH₃—CH ₂—O); 3.37 (s, 3H, CH ₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 3.55 (m) and 3.82 (m, 4H, CH₃—O—(CH ₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 5.30 (s, 2H, CH₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH ₂—O)); 6.32 (d, 1H), 7.64 (d, 1H): Ph-CH═CH—CO; 7.05 and 7.47 AA′BB′.

Stage c) Reduction: 3-[4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]phenyl]-2(E)-propen-1-ol

DIBAL (65 ml at 1M in dichloromethane then 6.5 ml at 1.5 mol in toluene) is added to a solution of the derivative prepared in the previous stage (10 g, 0.0357 mol) in 100 ml of dichloromethane cooled down to −60° C, and stirred for 1 hour at −60° C. The temperature is then allowed to return to −10° C. after having added 40 ml of ethyl acetate and the reaction medium is poured into a 1M solution of potassium and sodium tartrate (750 ml). 550 ml of dichloromethane is added, followed by washing and drying in order to obtain 8.734 g of crude product which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol mixture 98/2 to afford 8.287 g of the expected purified product. Rf 0.14 cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 70/30.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 1.41 (bt, 1H, HO—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 4.30 (1, 2H, HO—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.25 (td, 1H, J=6, 16 Hz, HO—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.56 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, HO—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.37 (s, 3H, CH ₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 3.56 (m) and 3.82 (m) 4H CH₃—O—(CH ₂)₂—O—CH₂—O; 5.27 (bs, 2H, CH₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH ₂—O); 7.01 and 7.32 AA′BB′.

Stage d) Oxidation: 3-[4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]phenyl]-2(E)-propenal

The mixture consisting of (I) (8 g, 0.034 mol) and MnO₂ (28.9 g, 0.34 mol) in dichloromethane (80 ml), is stirred overnight, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure until 7.668 g of an oil corresponding to the expected product is obtained. Rf 0.38 Cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 60/40.

Preparation 5: cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-1-naphthalenemethanamine

Stage a) Coupling: cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-1-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde

4-hydroxy-1-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde (860 mg, 5 mmol) is added to 260 mg of 55% sodium hydride in vaseline oil in 20 ml of DMF, then 2.41 g of [cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methyl]4-methyl-benzenesulfonate is added at ambient temperature and stirring is carried out for 6 hours at 60° C. then for 12 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is poured into ice-cooled water, extracted with dichloromethane, washed with 2N sodium bicarbonate and later with brine, dried, filtered and then evaporated under reduced pressure until a crude product is obtained which is purified by recrystallization from cyclohexane (1.58 g of expected product is obtained). M.p.=160° C. Rf 0.15 Cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 5/5.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 3.49 (dd, 1H) and 3.94 (dd, 1H), 3.92 (dd) and 4.01 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.59 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.46 and 4.55 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 6.80 (d, 1H, H10); 7.93 (d, 1H, H9); 9.30 (d) and 8.19 (bd) 2H H3 and H6; 7.57 (td) and 7.70 (td) 2H H4 and H5; 9.31; 7.50 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.63 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.31 (dd, 1H, Hb); 7.00 (bs, 2H, H′4 and H′5); 7.59 (bs, 1H, H′2); 10.20 (s, 1H, CHO). The H′s correspond to the imidazole hydrogens.

Stage b) Formation of the Amine: cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-1-naphthalenemethanamine

Methylamine hydrochloride (1.33 g, 20 mmoles) and sodium cyanoborohydride (124 mg, 2 mmoles) are added to an aldehyde solution prepared in the previous stage (960 mg, 2 mmol) in 20 ml of methanol and 8 ml of dichloromethane, and stirred for 12 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 9/1. 240 mg of expected product, 150 mg of expected partially salified product and 90 mg of a mixture of the two are obtained in several fractions. Rf 0.20 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 3.12 (m, 2H) and 3.80 (m, 2H): O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.40 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.34 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 4.41 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 2.70 (s, 3H, N—CH₃); 7.46 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.28 (dd, 1H, Hb); 7.57 (d, 1H, Hc); 6.68 (bs, 1H); 6.82 (bs, 1H); 7.20 (bs, 1H): H of the imidazole; 7.54 (d, 1H), 6.27 (d, 1H) H10 and H9; 8.13 (d) and 7.50 (masked) and 7.64 (bt) and 7.99 (d) 4H: H3, H4, H5 and H6.

Example 1 Cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine

One drop of water is added to a suspension consisting of [cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methyl] 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (180 mg, 0.372 mmol) (prepared according to J. Med Chem. (1979) Vol 22, no. 8, 1003-1008), P1 (104 mg, 0.410 mmol), tribenzylammonium chloride (TEBAC) (10.4 mg), isobutylmethylcetone (MIBUC) (1.8 ml) and potassium carbonate (52 mg), and heated at 80-90° C. for 1 hour 15 minutes and then for 5 hours under reflux. [Cis-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methyl]4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (78 mg, 0.161 mmol) is also added and reflux is maintained for 2 hours 30 minutes. Finally, a small amount of TEBAC and potassium carbonate (a tip of spatula) are added and the reaction medium is maintained under reflux for 13 hours 30 minutes. Evaporation of the reaction medium is followed by chromatography on silica eluting with the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 98/2. Two fractions of 56 mg and 57 mg are obtained which are repurified in order to obtain 53 mg of the expected product. Rf=0.40 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10.

NMR ¹H (300MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 2.23 (s, 3H, CH₃—N); 3.19 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH—); 6.31 (td, 1H, J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—); 6.54 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—); 3.33 (dd) and 3.75 (m) 2H, 3.75 (m) and 3.89 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.36 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 7.26 (m, 1H, Hb); 3.51 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq) 4.40 and 4.51 (AB, 2H, Ph-CH₂—N); 6.78 and 7.25 (AA′BB′, O-Ph); 6.99 (bd, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.52 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.58 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.39 (bd, 2H), 7.32 (bd, 2H), 7.26 (masked): aromatic H.

Example 2 Cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-4-chloro-benzenemethanamine

Water (2 ml), (tris(3-sulfonatophenyl) phosphine tetrahydrate sodium salt (TPPTS, 42 mg, STREM CHEMICAL) and 18 mg of palladium II acetate are mixed for one hour at ambient temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere then a solution of the amine derivative P3 (312 mg, 0.7 mmole) and para-chloro-(E)-cinnamyl acetate (105 mg, 0.5 mmole in acetonitrile (2 cm3) is added. The reaction medium is stirred for 1 hour 30 minutes at 50° C., allowed to return to ambient temperature, water is added and extraction carried out several times with dichloromethane, followed by drying over MgSO4, filtering and evaporation under reduced pressure in order to obtain the expected crude product which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 90/10 to afford 154 mg of the title compound. Rf 0.15 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 9/1.

NMR ¹H (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 2.32 (bs, 3H, CH ₃—N); 3.30 (m, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH—); 6.32 (dt, 1H, J=16 and 7 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—); 6.52 (d, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—); 3.30 (m) and 3.75 (m) 2H, 3.75 (m) and 3.89 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.36 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.64 (bs, 2H, Cq-CH ₂-N); 6.81 and 7.31 (AA′BB′, Ph-O); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.25 (masked, 1H, Hb); 7.60 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.31 (AA′BB′, Ph); 7.53 (bs, H, H2); 6.92 (bd, 2H, H4 and H5).

Example 3 Cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol

Stage a): cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-[3-[4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]phenyl]-2(E)-propenyl]-N-methyl-benzenemethanamine

P4 (1.232 g, 0.0052 mol) is added to a solution of P3 (1.225 g, 0.0027 mol) in methanol (40 ml), the pH is adjusted to 6-7 by the addition of 100 μl of acetic acid then 95% NaBH₃CN (373 mg, 0.00564 mol). After reaction for 24 hours, evaporation is carried out under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained is taken up in dichloromethane (60 ml), washed, dried and again evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained, which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol mixture 95/5 to afford 1.097 g of the title compound. Rf 0.47 dichloromethane/methanol 93/7.

NMR (300 MHz DMSO, δ, ppm): 2.45 (s, 3H, N—CH ₃); 3.23 (s, 3H, CH ₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—O); 3.47 (m, 2H) and 3.73 (m, 2H) : CH₃—O—(CH ₂)₂—O—CH₂—O; 5.25 (s, 2H, CH₃—O—(CH₂)₂—O—CH ₂—O); 3.54 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.22 (td, 1H, J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—Ph); 6.66 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.94 (l, 2H, Ph-CH₂—N); 3.69 (m) and 3.90 (dd) 2H, 3.68 to 3.84 (m, 2H): O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.38 (m, 1H, O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O); 4.54 (s, 2H, N—CH ₂—Cq); 6.94 and 7.38 AA′BB′, 7.01 and 7.42 AA′BB′: Ph-O; 6.83 (bs) and 7.00 (m) 2H H4 and H5; 7.51 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.63 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.57 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.42 (m, 1H, Hb).

Stage b) Deprotection: cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol

The mixture consisting of (I) (1.028 g, 1.5 mmoles) in 20 ml of dichloromethane and 20 ml of TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) is stirred for 3 hours at 0° C., then evaporated under reduced pressure until a residue is obtained which is taken up in dichloromethane (60 ml). The organic phase is washed, dried and evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a dichloromethane/ethanol mixture 93/7 to afford 425 mg of the expected purified product. Rf 0.16 dichloromethane/methanol 93/7.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 2.38 (s, 3H, N—CH ₃); 3.69 (l, 2H, N—CH ₂-Ph); 3.42 (dd) and 3.69 (masked) 2H, 3.28 (masked) and 3.75 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.35 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.30 (m, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 5.90 (td, 1H, J=7.5; 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.40 (d, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 4.52 and 4.43 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 6.76 and 7.26 (AA′BB′), 6.80 and 7.09 (AA′BB′) 8H; 7.63 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.64 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.49 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.29 (masked Hb); 7.03 (m, 2H, H4 and H5).

Example 4 Cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine

Sodium cyanoborohydride (62 mg, 169 mmol) is added to a solution of P2 (433 mg, 1 mmole) and 3-phenylallylamine hydrochloride (ref Sigma, 200 mg, 1.2 mmole) in 12 ml of methanol and stirred overnight at ambient temperature. Following evaporation under reduced pressure, the oily residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with a 2N sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to dryness under vacuum, which afforded 592 mg of crude product. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 9/1 to which 1% of water has been added to afford 225 mg of expected pure product. Rf 0.20 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10+1% water.

NMR (300 MHz CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 3.33 (dd) and 3.76 (m) 2H, 3.75 (m) and 3.84 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.36 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.40 and 4.51 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 3.43 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.32 (td, 1H J=16 and 6.5 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.55 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.78 (bs, 2H, N—CH₂—Ph); 6.79 and 7.26 (AA′BB′, 4H, Ph-O); 6.98 (m, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.58 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.38 (bd, 2H, H ortho); 7.31 (bt, 2H, H meta); 7.23 (masked, 2H, H para and Hb); 7.51 (bs, 1H, H2).

Example 5 Mono[cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]phenyl]phosphate (Trifluoroacetate Salt)

Stage a) Phosphorylation: [cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]phenyl]and bis(phenylmethyl) phosphate

Carbon tetrachloride (665 μl), DMAP (17 mg), diisopropylethylamine (480 μl) and then dropwise dibenzylphosphite (460 μl, 2.08 mmol) are added to a solution of (I) (400 mg, 0.689 mmol) in dichloromethane (12 ml) cooled down to −5° C. After stirring for 3 hours at 0° C. the reaction medium is then washed with 30 ml of NaH₂PO₄ (1M) and later with brine (10 ml). The organic phases are then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is purified by filtration on silica eluting with a dichloromethane/MeOH mixture 95/5 to afford 234 mg of the title compound. Rf 0.42 dichloromethane/methanol 93/7.

Stage b) Deprotection: mono[cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]phenyl]phosphate (Trifluoroacetate Salt)

A mixture consisting of (I) (234 mg) in 5 ml of dichloromethane and 5 ml of TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) is stirred for 5 hours at ambient temperature, then evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained which is purified by HPLC on Kromasil C18 10μ eluting with an acetonitrile/water mixture 40/60 (+0.03% of TFA) to afford 119 mg of the title compound. Rf 3.24 acetonitrile/water 40/60.

NMR (300 MHz DMSO, δ, ppm): 2.65 (s, 3H, N—CH ₃); 4.28 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂-Ph); 3.85 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.29 (td, 1H, J=6.5; 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.80 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 4.76 and 4.83 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 9.00 (bs, 1H, H2); 3.68 (dd) and 3.43 (dd) 2H, 3.71 (dd) and 3.87 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.41 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 6.96 and 7.46 AA′BB′, 7.18 and 7.49 AA′BB′ (8H); 7.54 (m, 3H, Hb, H4 and H5); 7.65 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.74 (d, 1H, Ha); 9.97 (bs, 1H mobile)

Example 6 Cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-1-naphthalenemethanamine

Sodium cyanoborohydride (30 mg) is added to a mixture consisting of P5 (240 mg, 0.48 mmole) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (120 μl, 0.96 mmole) in methanol (10 ml). The pH of the reaction mixture is adjusted to approximately 6 by the addition of acetic acid (15 μl), and the contents of the mixture are left to react for 12 hours under stirring, followed by evaporation under reduced pressure and purification by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 93/7 mixture affords 104 mg of expected product. Rf 0.20 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 93/7.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 2.28 (s, 3H, N—CH₃); 3.30 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.38 (bt, 1H, J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—Ph); 6.58 (bd, 1H J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 4.45 and 4.54 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 3.92 (bs, 2H, N—CH₂-Ph); 3.54 (dd) and 3.96 (dd) 2H, 3.88 (dd) and 3.98 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.54 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O; 8.18 (bd, 1H) and 8.23 (bd, 1H): H3 and H6; 7.49 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.60 (d, 1H, Hc); 6.65 (bd, 1H, H10); 7.37 (m, 1H, H9); 7.00 (bs, 2H), 7.16 to 7.58 (m, 9H): Hb, H2′, H4′, H5′, H3, H6, phenyl H.

Example 7 Cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-[3-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2(E)-propenyl]-N-methyl-benzenemethanamine

A mixture consisting of the phenol prepared in Example 3 (89 mg, 0.15 mmol), K₂CO₃ (23 mg, 0.16 mmol) and 1,3-dioxolan-2-one (68 mg, 0.77 mmol) in 2 ml of DMF is stirred overnight at 80° C., the reaction mixture is diluted with 10 ml of ethyl acetate. After washing and drying, evaporation is carried out under reduced pressure in order to obtain 110 mg of crude product which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 93/7 to afford 32 mg of expected pure product. Rf 0.30 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 93.00/7.00.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 3.33 (dd) and 3.76 (m) 2H, 3.75 (m) and 3.84 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.37 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.97 (m, 2H), 4.07 (m, 2H): O—(CH₂)₂—O; 4.41 and 4.52 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂-Cq); 6.97 (m, 2H, H4 and H5); 3.24 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.20 (td, 1H J=16 and 7 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.51 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 2.28 (bs, 3H, N—CH ₃); 3.57 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH₂—N); 6.79 and 7.28 (AA′BB′), 6.87 and 7.33 (AA′BB′): 8H; 7.26 (masked, 1H, Hb); 7.59 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.51 (bs, 1H, H2).

Example 8 Cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine trifluoroacetate

Stage a): 1,1-dimethylethyl cis-[2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]amino]ethyl]-carbamate (P6)

N-Boc-ethylenediamine (400 μl) is added to a solution of P2 (1 g, 2.30 mmol) in MeOH (30 ml), the pH is adjusted to approximately 6 by adding acetic acid (200 μl) then after 15 minutes, NaBH₃CN (227 mg) is added and the mixture is stirred for 18 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is then filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane, the organic phase is washed, dried then evaporated under reduced pressure in order to obtain 1.3 g of crude product which is purified by chromatography eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture (9/1) to afford 875 mg of expected product. Rf 0.16 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 1.43 (s, 9H, O—C(CH₃)₃); 3.42 (dd) and 3.66 (dd) 2H, 3.78 (dd) and 3.89 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.37 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.00 (m, 1H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH ₂—CH₂—NH); 3.00 (bt, 2H); 3.94 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH ₂—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO); 3.35 (m, 2H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH₂—CH ₂—NHCO); 5.42 (bt, 1H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO); 4.41 and 4.48 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂-Cq); 6.80 and 7.35 (AA′BB′ 4H, O-Ph); 7.28 (m, 1H, Hb); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.58 (d, 1Hc); 7.46 (masked, 1H, H2); 6.93 (bs, 2H, H4 and H5)

Stage b): 1,1-dimethylethyl cis-[2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]ethyl]-carbamate

After 15 minutes, whilst maintaining a pH of about 6, NaBH₃CN (54 mg) is added to a mixture consisting of (I) (287 mg, 0.498 mmol) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (69.2 μl) in methanol (6 ml) and reacted for 1 hour 10 minutes under stirring, followed by evaporation under reduced pressure and purification by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture 95/5 afforded 135 mg of expected product. Rf 0.49 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 95/5.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 1.43 (s, 9H, O—C(CH₃)₃); 2.62 (bt, 2H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH ₂—CH₂—NHCO); 3.24 (bt, 2H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH₂—CH ₂—NHCO); 4.99 (bs, 1H, Ph-CH₂—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO); 3.34 (dd) and 3.76 (dd) 2H, 3.75 (dd) and 3.90 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.37 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.41 and 4.53 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 3.60 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH ₂—N); 3.27 (masked, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.27 (td, 1H, J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.52 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.79 and 7.25 (AA′BB′ 4H, Ph-O); 6.99 (m, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.58 (m, 1H, Hc); 7.52 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.26 (m, 1H, Hb); 7.20 to 7.40 (m, 5H Ph)

Stage c): Cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine trifluoroacetate

Trifluoroacetic acid (3.4 ml) is added to a solution of (I) (130 mg, 0.178 mmol) in dichloromethane (1.4 ml), at 0-5° C., stirred for 20 minutes at this temperature then left to warm up to ambient temperature in about 2 hours, followed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane, washed, and dried in order to obtain 115 mg of crude product which is purified by HPCL on Kromasil C18 eluting with an acetonitrile/water mixture 60/40 to which 0.03% of TFA is added to afford 79 mg of expected pure product. Rf 3.68 acetonitrile/water 60/40 to which +0.03% of TFA

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 4.57 and 4.67 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂—Cq); 4.00 (b, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.39 (1, 1H, J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.85 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 7.33 (masked, 1H, Hb); 7.50 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.66 (dd, 1H, Hc); 6.76 and 7.37 (AA′BB′ 4H, Ph-O); 3.88 (m) and 3.50 (m) and 3.47 (m) 4H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.40 (bs, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.41 (b) and 3.62 (1) 4H: N—(CH ₂)₂—NH₂; 4.19 (b, 2H, N—CH₂-Ph); 8.66 (s, 1H, H2); 7.19, (bs) and 7.37 (bs) 2H: H4 and H5; 7.45 (m, 2H) and 7.36 (m, 3H): phenyl H.

Example 9 Cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzenemethanamine

Stage a): 1,1-dimethylethyl cis-[2-[[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]amino]ethyl]-carbamate

A mixture consisting of palladium (II) acetate (7 mg) and sodium tris(3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine tetrahydrate (tppts, Strem Chemical, 52.6 mg) in demineralized water (2 ml) is stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour, then a solution of para-chloro-(E)-cinnamyl acetate (130 mg, 0.617 mol) and P6 (500 mg) in acetonitrile (2 ml) is added. After stirring for 2 hours at 50° C. the acetonitrile is evaporated off and the remaining aqueous phase is extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is then dried, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure until a dry extract is obtained ((650 mg) which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture (95/5) then (98/2) to afford 134 mg of expected product. Rf 0.63 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (90/10).

NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 1.43 (s, 9H, OC(CH₃)₃); 2.62 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH₂—NH); 3.24 (b, 2H, N—CH₂—CH ₂—NH); 3.26 (m, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.23 (td, 1H, J=6.5 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH—Ph); 6.47 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.31 (dd) and 3.74 (dd) 2H, 3.74 (dd) and 3.89 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.36 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.41 and 4.52 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂-Cq); 3.60 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH ₂—N); 4.97 (bs, 1H, mobile H); 6.78 and 7.24 (AA′BB′, 4H, Ph-O); 7.29 (m, 4H, phenyl H); 7.27 (m, 1H, Hb); 7.59 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.47 (d, b, Ha); 6.99 (m, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.52 (bs, 1H, H2).

Stage b) Deprotection: cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzenemethanamine

Trifluoroacetic acid (3.4 ml) is added, at 0° C.-5° C., to a solution of the derivative prepared in the previous stage (130 mg, 0.178 mmol) in dichloromethane (1.4 ml), followed by stirring for 20 minutes at this temperature then the medium is left to warm up to ambient temperature for 2 hours, then evaporated under reduced pressure, taken up in dichloromethane, washed with 2N sodium bicarbonate, and then with brine. The organic phase is dried, filtered, and evaporated to dryness to yield 108 mg of expected product; Rf 0.09 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (85/15).

NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 2.78 (m, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH₂—N); 2.54 (m, 2H, N—CH₂—CH ₂—N); 3.39 (dd) and 3.60 (dd) 2H, 3.76 (dd) and 3.87 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.37 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.39 and 4.50 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂-Cq); 3.27 (d, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH—Ph); 6.26 (td, 1H J=7, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.48 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 3.57 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH ₂—N); 6.77 and 7.23 (AA′BB′, 4H, Ph-O); 6.96 (m, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.29 (m, 4H, phenyl H); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.43 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.60 (d, 1H, Hc); 7.27 (m, b, Hb).

Example 10 Cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]-ethanol

Stage a) Formation of the Alcohol: cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]amino]-ethanol

P2 (1 g, 2.30 mmol) and ethanolamine (153 μl) in 30 ml of methanol are mixed together, acetic acid (200 μl) is added to adjust the pH to 5.5, then after 15 minutes NaBH₃CN (174 mg) is added. After stirring for 1 hour 30 minutes, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane, the organic phase is washed, dried and again evaporated to dryness in order to obtain 1.31 g of crude product which is purified by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/water mixture 90/10/0.01 to afford 818 mg of expected product; Rf 0.09 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (85/15).

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 3.07 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH₂—O); 3.81 (m, 2H, N—CH₂—CH ₂—O); 3.39 (dd) and 3.53 (dd) 2H and 3.83 (m, 2H): O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.38 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 4.09 (bs, 2H, Ph-CH₂—N); 4.41 and 4.50 (AB, 2H, N—CH₂-Cq); 6.79 and 7.41 (AA′BB′ 4H, Ph-O); 6.92 (bs) and 6.97 (bs, 2H, H4 and H5); 7.54 (bs, 1H, H2); 7.29 (dd, 1H, Hb); 7.47 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.62 (d, 1H, Hc); 6.24 (bs, 4H, mobile H).

Stage b): Cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]-ethanol

After 15 minutes, maintaining the pH in the order of about 5.5, NaBH₃CN (59 mg) is added to a mixture consisting of the alcohol prepared in the previous stage (300 mg, 0.627 mmol) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (111 μl) in methanol (6 ml) and reacted for 3 hours 45 minutes under stirring, followed by evaporation under reduced pressure and purification by chromatography on silica eluting with a CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 95/5 mixture in order to obtain 127 mg of expected product. Rf 0.78 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90/10.

NMR (CDCl₃ 300 MHz, δ, ppm): 3.23 (bd, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.33 (td, 1H, J=6.5, 16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 6.55 (bd, 1H, J=16 Hz, N—CH₂—CH═CH-Ph); 2.53 (masked, 2H, N—CH ₂—CH₂—OH); 3.49 (b, 2H, N—CH₂—CH ₂—OH); 4.38 (m, 1H, N—CH₂—CH₂—OH); 3.58 (m) and 3.69 (m) 2H, 3.68 (m) and 3.88 (dd) 2H: O—CH ₂—CH—CH ₂—O; 4.38 (m, 1H, O—CH₂—CH—CH₂—O); 3.32 (bs, 2H, N—CH ₂-Ph); 4.51 and 4.56 (AB, 2H, N—CH ₂-Cq); 7.68 (d, 1H, Ha); 7.58 (dd, 1H, Hc); 7.46 (m, 1H, Hb); 6.81 (bs) and 7.01 (bs) 2H H4 and H5; 7.46 (bs, 1H, H2); 6.84 and 7.26 (AA′BB′ 4H, Ph-O); 7.22 (bt, 1H, H in para position of the phenyl); 7.32 (bt, 2H, H meta position of the phenyl); 7.43 (bd, 2H, H in ortho position of the phenyl).

In a manner similar to the previous examples, the following products were prepared:

R¹ R⁸ CH₂CH₂—OH Cl Me CN Me OSO₃H

Cl

Cl Me F

Cl

Cl

Cl

CN

Cl

Cl

Cl

F

Cl

Cl

Cl

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Compositions were prepared, containing

-   -   Example 1 Product 50 mg     -   Excipient q.s.f. 1 g     -   Detail of the excipient: starch, talc, magnesium stearate.

Biological Activity

1) Antifungal Activity of the Compounds According to the Invention.

Female mice weighing from 18 to 22 g were used. A quantity of Candida albicans 44858 was administered into the tail vein at a rate of 10⁶ CFU per mouse (CFU: colony forming unit). The mice are separated into 5 groups of 5 mice and treated as follows:

-   -   One hour after the infection         -   Group 1: the mice are treated with the product P 25 mg/kg by             oral route         -   Group 2: the mice are treated with the product P by             intraperitoneal route at a rate of 25 mg/kg         -   Group 3: the mice are treated with fluconazole (25 mg/kg by             oral route).         -   Group 4: the mice are treated with fluconazole (25 mg/kg by             intraperitoneal route).         -   Group 5: the mice receive no antifungal treatment.             Over a period of 22 days, the dead mice are counted.             2) Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

Candida albicans cells are prepared as indicated in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 38, 579-587, washed 3 times with a 0.1 M phosphate solution and used immediately in order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

The MICs are determined by the modification of a microtiter plate according to the standard method of the Comité National des standards cliniques de laboratoire.

RPMI-1640 is used as medium, and L-glutamine buffered to pH7 with a 0.15 M MOPS (3-[N-morpholino]propane sulfonic acid) solution. Candida albicans cells (1. 5×103 cells/ml) are added to the wells of a 96-well plate containing RPMI-1640 and the dilutions of antifungal agent. The results were read 48 hours after incubation at 35° C. and the MIC or minimum inhibitory concentration which inhibits the growth of Candida albicans cells was determined.

Minimum Fungicidal Concentration

After the MIC reading at 48 hours, the plates are shaken and 10 μL of aliquot is removed from the wells, and placed on rectangular disks containing dextrose agar. The plates are incubated for 48 hours at 35° C. The minimum fungicidal concentration is the concentration of the antifungal agent at which the number of colony forming units is zero.

Conclusion

The compounds according to the invention described in the examples 1 to 10 show an activity at <100 μg/ml in the MIC test. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A compound of the formula (I):

wherein X is nitrogen or CH; Ar¹ is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R², R³ or R⁴; Ar²is phenylene or naphthalene, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷; Ar³ is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰; A is (C₁-C₄)-alkylene or C(O); B is (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-CH═CH— or (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-cyclopropylene, said cyclopropylene or —CH═CH— is optionally substituted by R² or R³; R¹ is hydrogen, —SO₃H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, non-substituted or substituted by R²; and wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰, are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)alkyl, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, formyl, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—O—, amino, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenamino or (C₅-C₁₄)-arylamino, (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl, a heterocycle optionally substituted by oxo, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, di-((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryloxy, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, di((C₁-C₈)-alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, methylenedioxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenecarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylcarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkanoylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenesulfonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminosulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenaminosulfonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₈)-alkylenesulfonyl or (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-sulfonyl, said alkyl, aryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted; and wherein R¹¹ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₁₀)-alkyl, (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl or (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or an enantiomer, a stereoisomer, a tautomer or a mixture thereof, or a physiologically acceptable salt, a solvate or a derivative thereof, or a prodrug thereof.
 17. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16, wherein A is —CH₂—, B is —CH₂—CH═CH— or —CH₂-cyclopropyl- and Ar¹ is phenyl and Ar² is phenylene or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16 having the structure (IA):

wherein, B, X, Ar³, R⁵ and R¹ are as defined in claim 1 and R² and R³ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16, wherein R₂ and R₃ are chlorine, X is CH or N and Ar³ is phenyl, non-substituted or substituted by R⁸ as defined in claim 1, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and wherein methyl or ethyl is optionally substituted by F, OH, NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 21. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16, wherein Ar³ is phenyl, non substituted or substituted by R⁸ representing —Cl, —F, CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OH, —NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, or di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino or a heterocycle chosen from:

physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 22. The compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16, selected from the group consisting of: cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine; 4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N- [3-(4-chloro-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl]-1-benzenemethanamine; cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol; cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine; cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol phosphate and trifluoroacetate; 4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-1-naphthalenemethanamine; cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-4-chloro-benzenemethanamine; cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine trifluoroacetate; cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzenemethanamine; and cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]-ethanol.
 23. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 comprising: reacting a compound of formula (II):

wherein Y is a leaving group and X and Ar¹ are as defined in claim 16, in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula (III): HO-Ar²-A-N(R¹)-B-Ar³  (III), wherein Ar², A, R¹, B and Ar³ are as defined in claim 16, to obtain the corresponding compound of formula (I).
 24. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 comprising: reacting a compound of formula (II′):

wherein Y is a leaving group and X, R² and R³ are as defined in claim 16, with a compound of formula (III′): HO—C₆H₄—CHO,  (III′) in the presence of a base, the phenylene of (III′) is optionally substituted by R⁵ to obtain a compound of formula (IIa):

reacting compound of formula (IIa) with R¹—NH₂; reducing the resulting product in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN, to obtain the amine of formula (IIb):

reacting the compound of formula (IIb) either with a derivative of formula: OHC—CH═CH—C₆H₄—R⁸ or OHC-(cyclopropyl)-C₆H₄—R⁸ followed by a reduction reaction in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN or pyridine.BH₃; or reacting compound of formula (lIb) with a compound of formula: AcO—CH₂—CH═CH—C₆H₄—R⁸ in the presence of a palladium derivative to obtain the following compound of formulae (IAA) or (IAB):

wherein X, R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined in claim
 16. 25. A process for the preparation of compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 comprising: reacting a compound of formula (IIa):

with an amine of formula R′¹—(CH₂)₂—NH₂, wherein R′¹ is F, OH, amine or a suitably protected alkylamine, pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino or a dialkylamine, to obtain a compound of formula (IIc) in the presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH₃CN;

reacting compound of formula (IIc) with a conjugated aldehyde of formula OHC—CH═CH—C₆H₄—R⁸ to obtain a compound of formula (IAB):

wherein X, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁸ are as defined in claim
 16. 26. A method for the treatment of a fungal disease comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula (I):

wherein X is nitrogen or CH; Ar¹ is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R², R³ or R⁴; Ar² is phenylene or naphthalene, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷; Ar³ is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, non-substituted or substituted by one or more R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰; A is (C₁-C₄)-alkylene or C(O); B is (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-CH═CH— or (C₁-C₄)-alkylene-cyclopropylene, said cyclopropylene or —CH═CH— is optionally substituted by R² or R³; R¹ is hydrogen, —SO₃H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, non-substituted or substituted by R²; and wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ or R¹⁰, are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)alkyl, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, formyl, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—O—, amino, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenamino or (C₅-C₁₄)-arylamino, (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl, a heterocycle optionally substituted by oxo, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, di-((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryloxy, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, di((C₁-C₈)-alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, methylenedioxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenecarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylcarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkanoylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenesulfonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminosulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenaminosulfonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₈)-alkylenesulfonyl or (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-sulfonyl, said alkyl, aryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted; and wherein R¹¹ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₁₀)-alkyl, (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl or (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or an enantiomer, a stereoisomer, a tautomer or a mixture thereof, or a physiologically acceptable salt, a solvate or a derivative thereof, or a prodrug thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 27. The method as defined in claim 26 wherein said fungal disease is caused by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, krusei, tropicalis, pseudotropicalis, parapsilosis, Aspergillus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cryptococcus neoformans, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrun or Trichophyton mentagrophyte.
 28. The method as defined in claim 26 wherein said fungal disease is selected from the group consisting of candidoses, cryptococcoses, bronchopulmonary and pulmonary aspergilloses and invasive aspergilloses in immunodeficient individuals.
 29. The method as defined in claim 28 wherein said candidoses is selected from the group consisting of digestive, urinary, vaginal and cutaneous candidoses.
 30. The method as defined in claim 28 wherein said cryptococcoses is selected from the group consisting of neuromeningeal, pulmonary and cutaneous cryptococcoses.
 31. The method as defined in claim 26 wherein said compound of formula (I) is having A is —CH₂—, B is —CH₂—CH═CH— or —CH₂-cyclopropyl- and Ar¹ is phenyl and Ar² is phenylene or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 32. The method as defined in claim 26 wherein said compound of formula (I) is having the structure (IA):

wherein, B, X, Ar³, R⁵ and R¹ are as defined in claim 26 and R² and R³ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 33. The method as defined in claim 26, wherein said compound of formula (I) is having R₂ and R₃ are chlorine, X is CH or N and Ar³ is phenyl, non-substituted or substituted by R⁸ as defined in claim 26, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 34. The method as defined in claim 26, wherein said compound of formula (I) is having R¹ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and wherein methyl or ethyl is optionally substituted by F, OH, NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 35. The method as defined in claim 26, wherein said compound of formula (I) is having Ar³ is phenyl, non substituted or substituted by R⁸ representing —Cl, —F, CN, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OH, —NH₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino, or di-(C₁-C₆)-alkylamino radical or a heterocycle chosen from:

or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.
 36. The method as defined in claim 26, wherein said compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of: cis-4- [[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine; 4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl]-1-benzenemethanamine; cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol; cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine; cis-4-[3-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-methylamino]-1(E)-propenyl]-phenol phosphate and trifluoroacetate; 4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-methyl-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-1-naphthalenemethanamine; cis-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-4-chloro-benzenemethanamine; cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-N-(3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)-benzenemethanamine trifluoroacetate; cis-N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2(E)-propenyl]-4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]-benzenemethanamine; and cis-2-[[[4-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]methoxy]phenyl]methyl](3-phenyl-2(E)-propenyl)amino]-ethanol.
 37. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 16 or an enantiomer, a stereoisomer, a tautomer or a mixture thereof, or a physiologically acceptable salt, a solvate or a derivative thereof, or a prodrug thereof in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
 38. A compound of formula:

wherein X is nitrogen or CH; D is —CHO, —CH₂NH—R¹ or —CH₂NH(CH₂)₂R′¹; R¹ is hydrogen, —SO₃H or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, non-substituted or substituted by R²; R′¹ is F, OH, amine or a suitably protected alkylamine, pyrrolidino or 2-oxo-pyrrolidino or a dialkylamine; R², R³ or R⁵ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)alkyl, mono- bi- or trihalogeno(C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, formyl, —SO₃H, —OSO₃H, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—, (R¹¹O)₂P(O)—O—, amino, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino, di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenamino or (C₅-C₁₄)-arylamino, (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl, a heterocycle optionally substituted by oxo, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, di-((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₈)-alkyloxy optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryloxy, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxy-(C₁-C₆)alkylenoxy, amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkylamino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, di((C₁-C₈)-alkyl)amino-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenoxy, methylenedioxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkyloxycarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylcarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenecarbonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-carbonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminocarbonyl, (C₁-C₆)alkanoylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonylamino, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenesulfonylamino, (C₁-C₆)-alkylaminosulfonyl, (C₅-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkylenaminosulfonyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylsulfonyl, (C₅-C₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₈)-alkylenesulfonyl or (C₅-C₁₄)-arylsulfonyl, said alkyl, aryl or heterocycle are optionally substituted; and wherein R¹¹ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₁₀)-alkyl, (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl or (C₆-C₁₄)-aryl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or an enantiomer, a stereoisomer, a tautomer or a mixture thereof, or a physiologically acceptable salt, a solvate or a derivative thereof, or a prodrug thereof. 